Vision Matters by Bob Allison

_ 15. September. 2012

Vision Matters Focus on eye health in ageing UK Page 03

Eco-friendly eyewear in fashion Page 06

Shading your eyes from the sun Page 09

National Eye Health Week campaign Page 11

Vision Matters

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LILIAN ANEKWE Consumer health editor at the BMJ Group, she is an award-winning medical journalist who has also written for New Scientist and New Statesman.

ROGER BUCKLEY Professor in the department of vision and hearing sciences at Anglia Ruskin University, he was formerly a prominent London ophthalmologist.

YVONNE GORDON Freelance writer, she contributes to Raconteur healthcare supplements, as well as trade magazines, and has also written for The Times Educational Supplement.

MARIA ANGUITA Formerly clinical editor of GP, and British Journal of Nursing and British Journal of Midwifery editor, she writes for numerous healthcare and medical publications.

NICKY COLLINSON Freelance journalist and editor specialising in the optical sector, she is also communications consultant for the British Contact Lens Association.

NARINDER SHARMA President and chief executive of AMD Alliance International, he is a past vice chairman and audit chairman at UK National Health Service local trusts.

85%

of people admit to having problems with their vision

37%

put off having an eye test because of worries about money

Focus on eye health in an ageing UK

45%

of NHS sight tests in 2011 were for over-60s

Professor Roger Buckley, of Anglia Ruskin University’s department of vision and hearing sciences, assesses the UK’s eye health and warns that we need to take greater care of our sight

ȖȖ The nation’s sight is in decline, fuelled by an ageing population and unhealthy lifestyles. Forecasters predict that the number of people living with sight loss will double to four million by 2050. While there is nothing we can do to hold back the sands of time and stop the ageing process, many recent innovations will improve the early detection, prevention and management of age-related, hereditary and other sight-threatening eye conditions. These innovations include sophisticated new diagnostic technologies and pioneering advances in stem cell therapies. Some of these developments are already in use and others hold out

great hope for the future, but it remains urgent to educate people about what they can do today to care for their eyes. Right now, according to the RNIB, half of all sight loss is avoidable, yet many of us are reluctant to get our eyes examined until we notice that our sight has declined, at which point irreparable damage may already have been done. Poor uptake of sight tests is probably the biggest risk to the nation’s eye health. According to research conducted by the Eyecare Trust, 20 million of us fail to have our eyes checked once every two years, as recommended, and one person in ten has never had an eye examination. Sight tests are vital health checks. Not only can optometrists detect eye conditions, such as glaucoma

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OVERVIEW

before they cause irreversible sight loss – it’s often possible to detect such risks years before you begin to notice that your vision has deteriorated – they can also reveal a range of other serious medical conditions, including hypertension, high cholesterol levels, diabetes, brain tumours and the risk of stroke.

Poor uptake of sight tests is probably the biggest risk to the nation’s eye health twitter.com/raconteurmedia

Regular eye tests can save your sight

Regular sight tests are particularly important for children, the over-60s, people with a family history of eye disease, those with underlying systemic health conditions and people of some ethnic origins who have an increased risk of eye disease. Having regular sight tests isn’t the only step you can take to save your sight. Making small changes to your lifestyle can make a signficant difference to your eye health. Smokers have a four-fold increased risk of suffering agerelated macular degeneration (AMD), the UK’s leading cause of blindness. The remedy is obvious. Your weight can also affect your eye health. A Body Mass Index of 30 or more doubles your risk of AMD and significantly increases your chances of developing cataract.

Source: Action for the Blind

Early obesity is also associated with diabetes and 60 per cent of people with type 2 diabetes will develop diabetic retinopathy. Eating a healthy balanced diet may also benefit your eye health. Eye-friendly nutrients found in many fruits and vegetables can help to protect against AMD. Cold water fish, such as sardines and tuna, are all excellent sources of essential fatty acids, which have been recommended for the avoidance of dry eye, AMD and generally better health. Protecting your eyes from the cumulative effects of UV radiation is also vital. Studies show a link between UV radiation and cataract. When UV levels are high, glasses (clear or dark, or UVinhibiting contact lenses) should be worn.

Vision Matters

Looking after young eyes Research shows nearly 20 per cent of children have vision problems, many of which go undetected. If untreated, these can affect children’s social skills and academic performance, so good eyecare is essential from the start, as Yvonne Gordon discovers

Vision Matters

Seeing problems in genes can prevent sight loss

Disease devastates lives of the elderly

Many eye conditions are now believed to have genetic links, so it’s important to keep your optometrist informed about eye health in your family, writes Yvonne Gordon

Age-related macular degeneration, which destroys the central focus of vision, devastates sufferers’ lives and, as Lilian Anekwe reports, is best detected early

Eye disease can run in the family

AMD can also affect younger people

AMD

85% of AMD cases are dry AMD

CHILDREN’S SIGHT

ȖȖ Optometrists are joining a UK-wide campaign to raise awareness of the importance of children’s eye-health. Led by the Association of Optometrists (AOP), it aims to encourage parents to include sight tests in their children’s back-at-school routine. Up to a million UK schoolchildren have an undiagnosed vision problem, which sometimes impacts negatively on their behaviour and ability to absorb information. Campaign leader, optometrist Polly Dulley, says: “The sooner eye problems are detected, the better the likely outcome. Many childhood eye conditions, such as lazy eye – amblyopia – and squint – strabismus – can be treated if detected early.” Most parents assume children undergo school vision-screening, but many areas don’t provide it. Additionally, some eye conditions may cause significant problems with learning ability, but cannot be picked up in screening, which is designed to detect lazy eye, but not assess total eye health.

Parents should get children’s eyes tested around the age of four or five and regularly throughout childhood NHS optometrists give free sight tests for under-16s. Boots Opticians optometrist Carolyn Norman says: “Parents should get children’s eyes tested around the age of four or five and regularly throughout childhood. Children’s visual dysfunction is sometimes associated with learning difficulties, which may be helped by tinted spectacles or coloured overlays to cut out glare.” RNIB (Royal National Institute of the Blind) eye health adviser Sonal Rughani adds: “The early detection of any visual or eye health-related condition is essential to ensure effective treatment. Many children have undetected problems, with clear vision, such as hyperopia – long-sightedness – and myopia – short-sightedness – which are easily correctable with spectacles.”

90% 90% of severe vision loss due to AMD is from wet AMD Source: AMD Alliance International

FAMILY HISTORY

ȖȖ Genetic factors play a role in many eye diseases, including agerelated macular degeneration (AMD) and glaucoma, the main causes of irreversible blindness. Informing your optometrist of any family history of eye disease means relatives can be monitored and eye conditions diagnosed sooner, with earlier treatment to prevent sight deterioration. Dr Dolores Conroy, director of research at eye charity Fight for Sight, says: “With a family history of glaucoma, there is a six to tenfold increased risk. Glaucoma is easily detected in a routine eye check, with treatment given to preserve remaining sight. “Recent research has identified non-modifiable genetic susceptibility for AMD, along with modifiable lifestyle risk factors, such as smoking and diet. Wet AMD can be treated if detected early.” Dr Conroy says hyperopia – longsightedness – and myopia – shortsightedness – are thought to result from interaction of genes and environmental factors. “In Asian

populations, over two-thirds of school-leavers are myopic, probably due to spending long periods studying closely and not enough time outdoors,” she says. Childhood eye conditions, such as lazy eye – amblyopia – and squint – strabismus – are often associated with family history, so the earlier detected, the better the likely treatment outcome. Boots Opticians optometrist Carolyn Norman says: “Those above 40 with glaucoma family history can have free annual eye tests, because risk increases with age.” Clinical trials are underway to replace defective genes for some inherited retinal disorders, caused by gene mutations passed down in families, for which there are no effective treatments. AMD Alliance International (AMDAI) chief executive Narinder Sharma stresses the importance of updating your optometrist. He says: “AMD damage can be minimised, or even prevented, through sharing family history with the optometrist. If you have AMD in

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the family, get annual eye checks and take steps to lessen risks, for example, not smoking. “The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) found eating greens and brightly coloured fruit and vegetables, plus oily fish, might delay onset.” Mr Sharma says eye injections could slow wet AMD progression and sometimes even restore some vision. AMDAI is hosting International AMD Week, from September 22 to 30, to launch its two-year global AMD awareness and prevention campaign. Consultant ophthalmologist Nick Astbury says sunglasses for AMD sufferers are a sensible precaution. “More bright light on an alreadystressed, light-sensitive organ may make matters worse,” he says, adding that people with advanced AMD in one eye may benefit from nutritional supplements.

Mr Astbury says research into gene therapy is vital to reduce inherited childhood blindness. “Some childhood eye conditions, such as retinopathy of prematurity and cataract, can be recognised early and effectively treated,” he says. AMD causes central vision distortion, so some sufferers cannot read, cook or drive. Dr Susan Blakeney, of the College of Optometrists, points out that people don’t always notice if only one eye is affected. She advises: “Be aware of individual vision in each eye. Hold a hand over each eye in turn. If vision in one eye appears distorted, see an optometrist immediately. “Through greater awareness about AMD and glaucoma, we hope to increase detection and encourage people to access support services.

Clinical trials are underway to replace defective genes for some inherited retinal disorders theraconteur.co.uk

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ȖȖ The clue is, of course, in the name. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease that affects us as we age. Most people with AMD are in their 80s, but it can affect younger people in their 50s. AMD affects the retina, the lining covering the back of the eye. The retina contains the macular, an area of tissue that is responsible for central vision. As we age, the cells in the macular are subject to more wear and tear. This is what causes what Alison McClune, an optometrist and spokeswoman for the Association of Optometrists, describes as a devastating loss of “the detail of your vision”. “If you have AMD and try to read a book, for example, you’ll be able to see the book, but not the print. Or you could meet someone in the street, but not be able to make out their face.” AMD has two forms. Dry AMD is caused primarily by wear and tear

of the retina, while the wet form of AMD also causes damage to the blood vessels in the retina, making them leakier. Wet AMD can be treated with drugs if caught early. But over time the leakiness can lead to scarring and once scar tissue forms, the damage and the effect on your vision is irreversible. At present there is no treatment for dry AMD. This is why early detection and treatment of wet AMD is crucial. But more important is knowing what puts you at risk and reducing your chances of macular damage, says Winfried Amoaku, associate professor and reader of ophthalmology and visual sciences at the University of Nottingham. “Essentially AMD happens because of the interplay between genetics and environmental factors,” he says. “The genetic factors you can’t do much about, but research tells us that other risk

factors also play an important role – and those you can change.” “The changeable risk factors for AMD are smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diet. It’s important that people know that modifying these risk factors can reduce their risk of AMD and can also slow down vision loss if you catch dry AMD early.” Studies have found that one person in every five with AMD has high blood pressure, while another one in five will have high cholesterol. Smoking trebles your risk of developing AMD and people who smoke on average develop AMD six years earlier than former smokers, and ten years earlier than people who have never smoked. The AMD Alli-

Four tips to help keep eyes healthy ȖȖ It used to be that dentures and walking sticks were considered an inevitable part of ageing. With awareness about dental health and the importance of keeping fit, these are becoming more a thing of the past. But what about blindness from another age-related condition? Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive retinal disease, usually occurring at the age of 50 or older and is the leading cause of vision loss for seniors in the UK. With an ageing population, AMD is likely to become an increasing

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problem, so you need to be aware of the following four steps to prevent AMD happening to you or in your family. If you have a family history of AMD, you need to pay particular attention, as ageing and genetics are considered the highest risk factors. Having high risk factors does not mean that you will get AMD automatically, but following these four steps may help you avoid it. International AMD Awareness Week runs from September 22 to 30. AMD Alliance International is embarking on a two-year campaign to raise awareness of AMD and its prevention. For more information visit www. amdalliance.org

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people who have a high-fat diet also have a higher risk of AMD. Mr Amoaku recommends his patients take nutritional supplements containing vitamins A, C and E as well as nutrients lutein and zeaxanthin, which can be bought over the counter. He says: “A good diet is essential and a good start, but you won’t do any harm if you are at risk of AMD by taking these kinds of supplements.”

The changeable risk factors for AMD are smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diet

1. Early detection to tackle progression – From the age of 40, you should ask your optician for a fully dilated eye examination at least once every two years and once a year from 50. If you are going to contract AMD, the earlier it is spotted the less damage it can do. 2. Do not smoke – Research has demonstrated that AMD is two to three times as frequent among tobacco smokers and the risk is dose dependent. In other words, the more you smoke, the greater the risk and the faster the progression of the disease. Saving your sight is another good reason to pack up smoking.

Narinder Sharma, president and chief executive of AMD Alliance International, offers advice which could keepage-related macular degeneration at bay campaign

ance, International, a global charity promoting AMD Awareness Week later this month, recommends a varied diet with plenty of coloured fruits and vegetables, oily fish, such as salmon, tuna or mackerel, and nuts containing omega-3 fatty acids. There’s also evidence that being overweight – a corollary of a poor diet – is linked with the development of AMD and faster vision loss. There’s also evidence that

Usually occurring at the age of 50 or older, AMD is the leading cause of vision loss for seniors in the UK twitter.com/raconteurmedia

3. Diet and exercise – Fatty plaque deposits in the macular vessels, which can hamper blood flow, increase the risk of AMD, so stick to a low-fat, lowcholesterol diet and a get plenty of exercise. A diet low in fat promotes good eye health. Several research studies have also suggested that certain vitamins and nutrients may actually reduce vision loss. Diets rich in antioxidant vitamins C and E, the carotenoids lutein, zeaxanthin and beta-carotene, and the mineral zinc may help prevent or delay AMD progression. 4. Drink sensibly – A recent study of Australians concluded that men and women who drank more than 20mg of alcohol per day (a standard glass of wine is 15mg) had an approximately 20 per cent increased risk of developing AMD. While alcohol may contribute modestly to AMD, smoking is the most established behavioural risk factor.

Vision Matters

Eyewear that doesn’t cost the Earth

Sustainable bamboo, castor oil seeds and “liquid wood” are just some of the materials inspiring a new generation of eco-friendly eyewear, as Nicky Collinson discovers SUSTAINABILITY

Ȗ Sustainable eyewear crafted from renewable materials to minimise your carbon footprint is probably not the first thing on your mind when choosing a new pair of frames. But a movement is afoot to challenge our way of thinking, with the application of processes and materials that don’t cost the Earth. Sustainably harvested wood, novel acetates (plastics) containing a higher percentage of natural materials like cotton, and buffalo horn from responsibly farmed cattle, are being used by a growing band of eco-minded eyewear producers. The 2012 Gucci Eyeweb collection, for instance, includes two “bio-based” sunglasses in a natural material made from castor oil seeds that helps to reduce CO2 emissions during production. The joy of castor plants is that they are not genetically modified (nonGMO) and can grow on poor soil in

semi-arid areas using little water and very few pesticides. The luxury brand, in partnership with Safilo, is also developing sunglasses made from “liquid wood”, a biodegradable material made of wood fibre from sustainably managed forests, lignin, which after cellulose is the most abundant renewable carbon source on Earth, and natural wax. The initial prototype in semi-matte black with shaded grey glass lenses is based on Gucci’s bamboo-inspired frame and features recycled metal. New sustainable packaging, featuring the Mobius loop recycling symbol, adds to the brand’s eco credentials. Meanwhile, Stella McCartney launched a range of eco-friendly sunglasses this year crafted from injected bio-plastic, which is 54 per cent made from castor oil seeds. The aim is to limit the use of plastic made from petroleum, which takes millions of years to

Sustainable materials are being used by a growing band of eco-minded eyewear producers

Lens designs for the digital age Advances in digital lens design are creating new standards of optical performance to sustain today’s technology-driven society, writes Nicky Collinson

Ȗ Recent research reveals that one in ten Britons are so obsessed with modern technology that they look at their smartphone constantly and even take it to bed. With millions now “sofalising” and networking online in front of the TV, and almost a quarter of us needing glasses to read computer screens, our eyes are clearly facing all manner of technology-induced challenges. But thanks to developments in digital lens manufacture – known as freeform surfacing – modern spectacle and sunglass lenses can help us adapt to these new visual demands. Freeform surfacing produces individualised lenses based on your prescription, the shape of

your glasses, and your lifestyle and work requirements too. It does this by using special generators linked to sophisticated software that tells a single-point diamond cutter how to surface the lens, allowing the prescription to be cut into the lens with pinpoint accuracy. This produces superior lenses that address your personal habits, and can be fitted into stylish frames of all shapes and sizes. So-called “occupational lenses” are customised to help you see better in precisely the right optical zone for your specific needs; so for computer users the optimum viewing distance can be set at about two metres. There are now multipurpose progressive lenses, for seamless vision close-up, in the distance and everything in between,

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LENSES

1. smith optics, Mastermind in Whiskey 2. smith optics, Hemline in black Violet split 3. Gucci sunglasses in liquid wood material 4. Panda Eyewear, nelson in black

Polaroid Anniversary Model

regenerate after consumption. The frames also combine cellulose, which is renewable and biodegradable, together with natural plasticisers (agents that soften plastic) derived from citric acid. And it’s not just the big names seeing green. Among a host of emerging niche suppliers, Washington DC-based start-up Panda Eyewear hopes to help change the environmental and social impact of sunglasses. The young company produces high-end sunglasses handcrafted from sustainable bamboo – the fastest growing plant on Earth – and recycled polycarbonates. What’s more,

every time someone buys a pair of Panda sunglasses, a free eye exam and eyewear is donated to a person in need. Panda’s Vincent Ko says: “We have seen a growing trend in how consumers view what their sunglasses are made of, how they are made and their social impact. This mentality was not around a few years ago but, as more consumers want to know the complete story about the product they buy, I believe this thought process will spread.” The aesthetics of sustainable eyewear are not going unnoticed either. Free Form Eyewear Green by Thomas Trauth, designed

to minimise carbon footprint, received a coveted Red Dot product design award earlier this year. The collection, by Stuttgart-based Trauth, consumes the least material, requires the fewest production steps in terms of machine time and releases no toxic materials during production.

No limits with prescription shades The options for prescription sunglasses that provide optimum vision, lightweight comfort, strength and protection are almost limitless, writes Nicky Collinson

designed specifically for regular users of handheld digital devices. These lenses provide easy, closeup focus on small text in the 40-70cm viewing range without losing sharp focus on immediate and distant surroundings.

With millions now networking online, our eyes are facing all manner of technology-induced challenges twitter.com/raconteurmedia

pRESCRIpTION SUNGLASSES

Ȗ From flamboyant, statementmaking styles to high-tech sports models, sunglasses are available for virtually any lens prescription, including progressive lens options for those who’ve reached a certain age. “People are much more aware these days of the pleasure that enhanced vision and a good pair of sunglasses can offer, and are deciding to invest in quality – rather than simply picking up the cheapest pair or their favourite brand,” says Martijn van Eerde, of the European Sunglass Association. And those investment choices are getting ever more sophisticated. For sports you can now wear wraparound sunglasses, glazed

using cutting-edge digital technology that eliminates distortions caused by the increased curvature of the lens. Or how about a pair of the world’s first polarised, prescription single gradient sunglasses with darker tinting at the top of the lens, where it’s most needed, that gradually gets lighter moving down?

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With photochromic tints that rapidly adjust to visible and nonvisible (UV) light, even behind a car windscreen, polarising filters that cut out glare, and impact-resistant and hypoallergenic materials that protect your eyes from the elements while being extremely lightweight, there is something for everyone – come rain or shine.

People are much more aware of the pleasure that enhanced vision and a good pair of sunglasses can offer twitter.com/raconteurmedia

Vision Matters

Shading eyes is essential especially when young

‘Smoking linked to sight loss’ Smokers are more likely to develop a serious eye disease and put others at risk through passive smoking, writes Yvonne Gordon SMOKING

UV light is harmful to the eyes which should be protected from bright sunlight, writes Maria Anguita, who has special advice on children’s eyecare EYEWEAR

ȖȖWhen Sarah, a 24-year-old from Hampshire, lost her sunglasses on the last day of a skiing holiday in the French resort of Alpe D’Huez, she did not bother to buy herself a new pair because it was an overcast day and she was going home in a few hours anyway. However, later that evening her eyes became uncomfortable and gritty, and by the

next morning they were swollen and painful. What Sarah had was a case of snow blindness, or photokeratitis, a form of sunburn of the cornea that may occur when the eye is exposed to excessive sun UV radiation, most commonly in latitudes closer to the equator, at high altitude or occasionally from the sea and sand glare. Simon Kelly, consultant ophthalmic surgeon at the Royal Bolton Hospital, says painful, acute

SUNGLASSES

With a view to buying the right sunglasses Toy sunglasses or those not providing at least 99 per cent protection from UVA and UVB can actually cause more damage because the tinted lenses dilate the pupil, allowing more UV light to enter the eye, warns the Eyecare Trust. Susan Blakeney, clinical adviser to the College of Optometrists, recommends always making sure sunglasses have the CE mark and are certified as complying with British Standards BSEN 1836:2005. This sets performance levels for quality, strength, stability, design and manufacture, as well as the amount of UV they let through.

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Sunglasses also have a shade number relating to the tint of the lens, with 0 being the lightest shade and 4 the darkest. The colour of the lens does not a make a difference. Dr Blakeney also warns that higher prices are not necessarily indicative of better quality lenses. The Highway Code warns against very dark tints for driving and wearing tinted glasses at night or in poor visibility. Contact lenses that react to sunlight are also starting to emerge on the market and the Eyecare Trust warns to only purchase these from a reputable seller.

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snow blindness resolves within a few days and, importantly, it can be prevented by wearing protective sunglasses. But he warns of long-term damage to the eye from continuous exposure to bright sunlight over many years.

Snow blindness is a form of sunburn of the cornea

directly at the sun through binoculars or telescopes can damage the retina and may lead to sight loss, and children should be warned not to do this. Children are more vulnerable to the effects of sunlight because they

Share and discuss online at theraconteur.co.uk “Research has shown that prolonged sunlight exposure is associated with an increased lifetime risk of developing cataracts, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), pterygium [a benign growth of the conjunctiva] and skin tumours around the eye,” says Mr Kelly. He also points out that smoking, genetic predisposition, family history and diet play a significant part in causing cataract and AMD. “UV exposure may be a risk factor in the UK for people who work outdoors,” he says. The Eyecare Trust, a charity that raises awareness of eyecare and eye health, advises that the risk of solar damage can be reduced by wearing sunglasses that provide adequate UV protection and a wide-brimmed or peaked hat that shades the eyes. Also, looking

have a clearer lens than adults, allowing up to 70 per cent more UV radiation to reach the retina. A survey by the College of Optometrists in 2009 found that 76 per cent of parents do not protect their children’s eyes in the sun. However, there are different opinions of when children should wear sunglasses. Maggie Woodhouse, paediatric special needs optometrist at Cardiff University, says for most children, playing outside on a bright day in the UK, a hat that shades the eyes is sufficient protection. Dr Woodhouse suggests that most children only need to wear sunglasses when they are taken to exotic locations on holiday or at high altitude, for example when skiing, or playing on the beach or by water where there is a lot of reflected light.

Long-term damage to the eye results from continuous exposure to bright sunlight over many years twitter.com/raconteurmedia

ȖȖ Leading UK eye health charity RNIB is backing research which claims there is a strong link between smoking and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Support is growing across eyecare professions for warnings to appear on tobacco products linking smoking and blindness. The RNIB have worked closely with the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCOphth) and others and changes to labels on tobacco products are now expected. RNIB eye health adviser Sonal Rughani says: “The link between smoking and AMD is similar to the lung cancer and smoking risk, and both risks reduce on stopping smoking.” New research into public attitudes towards eye health from the College of Optometrists (COptom) reveals that many smokers are unaware smoking has links to eye disease. COptom optometric adviser Dr Susan Blakeney says: “Smoking is the prime modifiable risk in AMD. But few smokers are aware of this. Prevention is key. Quitting now can reduce risk of AMD, the leading cause of blindness, which should be a huge incentive for smokers to stop.” Boots Opticians optometrist Carolyn Norman adds: “Smoking can cause dry eyes and may also increase cataract risk, both common eye disorders.” Cathy Yelf, of the Macular Disease Society, says: “The macula is very vulnerable to cigarette smoke, which contains many noxious compounds including tar. Smoking reduces the retina’s anti-oxidant levels, blood flow and protective pigments. It’s

It’s vital young people know about sight risks if they start smoking vital young people know about sight risks if they start smoking.’ According to Simon Kelly, RCOphth spokesman and consultant ophthalmic surgeon, from Bolton: “Smokers, including passive smokers, are at least twice as likely to develop AMD as non-smokers and at an earlier age. Furthermore, if you have a genetic predisposition to AMD you greatly increase this risk by smoking. Animal and other studies provide increasing evidence. Thyroid eyedisease is also strongly linked to smoking. “In a study we undertook in nightclubs we found that many young smokers are unaware they could be smoking their sight away.”

Vision Matters

Campaigning to protect the UK’s eye health

Eyes say so much about our health

The UK’s eye health is deteriorating. Every day 100 people start to lose their sight and experts predict that this figure is expected to get worse over the next 20 to 30 years. So what can be done? Francesca Marchetti, chairwoman of National Eye Health Week, explains how the campaign aims to protect the nation’s sight

Regular eye examinations can save more than your sight, as Lilian Anekwe reports in the run-up to National Eye Health Week

CAMPAIGN DIARY

Main events

EYE TESTS

ȖȖ People are generally aware of the basic steps to stay fit and healthy. If asked, most can reel off a list – exercise, a balanced, healthy diet, not smoking and drinking in moderation – of “top tips” for staying in good shape. However, fewer people would mention a regular eye test. But this is an equally important preventive health measure, says Alison McClune, an optometrist and spokeswoman for the UK’s Association of Optometrists. “People can be reluctant to go and have their eyes tested,” she says. “An eye test is a vital general health check and optometrists encourage people to come in every couple of years.” In the UK, eye tests are free for children and teenagers who are still in full-time education, and for everyone aged over 60. For oth-

50% of people surveyed think an NHS eye test costs £20 or more – despite it being free

25% of over-60s said the quality of their vision affects daily routine Source: Eyecare Trust

ers, employers often arrange for employees to have free eye tests. A routine eye test, of the type on offer at any high street optician, is crucial for maintaining good eye health. It’s a test of your vision, but an optometrist will also look for eye diseases, such as cataracts, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration. They can also check for signs of diseases not usually thought of as affecting the eyes, such as high blood pressure and cholesterol, and diabetes. Rarer conditions like multiple sclerosis and brain tumours can also cause changes that an optometrist can see when looking into your eyes. Some optometrists are also able to offer

extra services for people with glaucoma and diabetes. “An eye test is really about maximising your visual potential,” Ms McClune says. “But we can also detect common eye conditions by testing things like the pressure inside the eye and there are visual field tests that look for problems with your central or peripheral vision. All these tests are part of the routine eye exam, certainly for anyone over 60, but UK guidelines also recommend them for anyone over the age of 40.” The eye is the only place where blood vessels can be seen clearly, without the covering of skin. This is valuable when it comes to eye tests, says Carolynn Norman, an

optometrist at Boots Opticians. “We can see if something in the eye looks abnormal and tell you when you need to go to your GP, or refer you to a specialist eye unit for more tests. “In people with diabetes, we often see bleeding at the back of the eye and fluid that has leaked into the eye. High cholesterol can cause arcus senilis, a white ring in front of the periphery of the iris,

September 17: Eye Health Bus Tour – begins High Street, Scunthorpe

the coloured part of the eye, and the outside of the cornea. “In people with high blood pressure, the blood vessels at the back of the eye can look wavy, because of haemorrhaging. But people can be born this way, which is why it’s so important that, if your optometrist recommends it, you see your GP who will be able to tell you if there’s a problem and if it needs treating.”

September 18: Eye Health Information Day – Worthing September 19: Welsh Eyecare Conference – Cardiff University September 20: Eye Clinic – Abergele Hopsital, Abergele

The eye is the only place where blood vessels can be seen clearly, without the covering of skin

For full details of events taking place visit visionmatters.org.uk

fight for sight

Delicate organs need to be regularly checked Anita Lightstone, VISION 2020 UK chief operating officer and UK vision strategy programme director, explains why sight tests are vital to protect eye health PREVENTION

Anita Lightstone has been programme director for the UK Vision Strategy since 2008. Previously, her work with RNIB included the development of multi-agency low-vision services and heading up the RNIB research team. An optometrist by profession, prior to joining RNIB, she was senior lecturer at London’s Institute of Optometry

ȖȖ There is a well-known saying: “If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.” Does that mean we should only go for an eye test when we notice that something is wrong? Surely, because we all use our eyes so much, we will notice if they are not working so well? Unfortunately this is not always the case. Our eyes are delicate organs and, to work with greatest efficiency and to work for all our life, eyes need to be looked after properly. A good diet and a healthy lifestyle are key, just as they are for all the body. Therefore, it makes sense to eat lots of fresh

vegetables, watch your weight and not to smoke or drink too much alcohol. It is also essential to have regular eye tests. The test comprises of two main parts – one to check the health of the eyes and the other to see if sight can be improved by spectacles or contact lenses.

Many problems can be there for some time before affecting how well a person sees raconteuronthetimes.co.uk

Many problems that relate to the health of the eye can be there for some time before affecting how well a person sees. In many eye conditions, early changes are very small, but the optometrist will note them when he or she is examining the eyes using an instrument known as an ophthalmoscope or through other specific tests. These changes can be associated directly to eye conditions, such as glaucoma, or may relate to more general health issues, like diabetes or high blood pressure. Whatever the cause, the earlier the signs are picked up, the sooner treatment can be started, which will reduce the risk of damage to sight or elsewhere in the body.

Regular eye tests are the main way that changes in the health of the eye are detected and most people should have a test every two years, unless recommended otherwise. This may happen if there is a family history of eye problems or for some reason the eye health professional expects change to be more rapid. We can’t see inside our own eyes, so we have no way of checking their health. Regular testing is vital as it might just save your sight.

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VISION MATTERS

Optometrist Francesca Marchetti is chairwoman of National Eye Health Week

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ȖȖ Good eyesight is an important part of overall wellbeing and it is vital to ensure we can retain our independence and quality of life as we get older. Yet many of us rarely think about the importance of caring for our eyes to prevent us from losing our sight in the future. In fact 20 million of us fail to have our eyes checked once every two years, as recommend, and one in ten have never had an eye examination. Yet sight tests are an important health check. In some cases they can detect the early stages of eye conditions, even before there are noticeable symptoms, and sight loss may then be avoided. The worrying truth is that many of us only go to see our optometrist when we are aware that something is wrong and then, in many cases, the damage has already been done. National Eye Health Week seeks to change this by raising awareness among the public about the need to look after their eye health and to get their eyes regularly tested every two years.

The campaign aims to make sight tests a normal part of our cycle of regular health checks, such as going to the dentist or getting our blood pressure checked. A sight test can also uncover other health problems, such as diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol. The National Eye Health Week campaign also aims to improve the nation’s sight by promoting a number of other ways we can keep our eyes healthy. Did you know that smoking increases the risk of blindness? If you’re a smoker then this is another good reason to kick the habit as current smokers are four times more likely to develop macular degeneration, the UK’s leading

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cause of sight loss, compared to past smokers or non-smokers. In addition, other simple lifestyle changes can protect our eye health, such as eating a diet full of dark green leafy vegetables and oily fish. It is also important to protect our eyes from the sun by wearing CEmarked sunglasses. Vision Matters marks the start of National Eye Health Week so why not go and book you and your family an eye health check or attend a National Eye Health Week event taking place near you. Go to www.visionmatters.org.uk or visit your local optician to find out more about how you can take care of your eyes.

Opticians say eyes should be tested every two years

The worrying truth is that many of us only go to see our optometrist when we are aware that something is wrong and then, in many cases, the damage has already been done

‘Be a best dressed carrot’ Fight for Sight, the UK’s leading charity dedicated to funding pioneering research to prevent sight loss and treat eye disease, is hosting its annual Carrots NightWalk in London on the night of Friday, September 21. Each person who takes part in either the six or fifteen-mile walk will be helping researchers find new ways to make sight loss a thing of the past. And there’s even a chance for walkers with a fondness for fancy dress to win a prize for Best Dressed Carrot. To find out more about how to get involved in the Fight for Sight Carrots NightWalk and to help bring hope to millions of people worldwide living without sight, please visit www. fightforsight.org.uk/carrots or call 0207 264 3900.